In this Article

• Why should travelers see a physician before they leave?
• What diseases occur in travelers, and how can disease be prevented?
• Traveler's diarrhea
• Malaria
• Meningococcal meningitis
• Yellow fever
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid fever
• Polio
• Cholera
• What about diseases for which there is no vaccine or preventive medication?
• What is safe to eat and drink while traveling?
• What can I do to avoid insect bites?
• What should be in my first aid kit?
• What are the medical concerns with jet lag?
• What if I have a medical condition or chronic disease?
• What if I'm pregnant?
• What about traveling with children?
• Where can I find additional information?
• Travel Medicine Glossary
• Travel Medicine Index

What if I'm pregnant?

Pregnant women should consult with their obstetrician before travel. If available, a consultation with a travel-medicine specialist is also recommended. Live vaccines are usually avoided in pregnancy. Some medications must also be avoided. This may put pregnant women at higher risk for getting sick in a foreign country.

Pregnant women should also be aware that the quality of obstetrical care in foreign countries varies considerably. It is best to have the name of a reputable clinic or hospital on hand. Women in the third trimester should consider delaying travel until after delivery. Check with your health-insurance provider in advance to determine what is covered in the destination country.

Diarrhea, some types of hepatitis, and malaria can be especially severe in pregnant women. Follow food, water, and insect precautions. Avoid areas with malaria if at all possible, and take medications as directed.

What about traveling with children?

Some vaccinations and medications are not recommended for children. This means that the risk or severity of certain diseases is increased in children.

Diarrhea is more common in children because so much ends up in their mouths. Children can quickly become dehydrated. Make sure that your child keeps up with his or her fluids. Consider adding an oral rehydration solution to your medical kit.

Children are attracted to animals and are more likely to get bitten. Bite wounds may become infected or transmit rabies. Keep children away from animals. Newborns and infants are at special risk. Breastfeeding will help reduce the risk of diarrhea. There are limited options for malaria prevention in infants. Around the world, malaria remains one of the major causes of death in children.

Where can I find additional information?

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a wonderful Web site that can give you details about travel-related illnesses: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/. To contact the CDC by phone, call 877-FYI-TRIP.



• The American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene has a list of clinics that specialize in travel medicine: http://www.astmh.org/publications/clinics.cfm.



• Your doctor will be able to help you manage chronic diseases abroad and get the vaccines and prescriptions you need.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• doxycycline, Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox and Others - Learn more about Doxycycline, including a description, generic and brand names, drug class and mechanism, preparations, storage, reasons for prescription, dosing, drug interactions, effect on pregnancy and nursing mothers, and common side effects.
• Flu Vaccine - Get the facts about influenza vaccine (flu shot) ingredients, side effects and vaccination effectiveness. Learn who should (children, pregnant women, elderly) and shouldn't get a flu shot.
• Dengue Fever - Get the facts on dengue fever causes (virus transmitted by infected mosquito), symptoms, signs, treatment, statistics and information on dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

Read more Travel Medicine related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Traveling While on Dialysis Could Be Risky
• Travelers Face Greater Risk of Leg Clots
• Traveling for Treatment
• Child's Food Allergies Take Toll on Family Plans